Mission & Values

Mission

Community Catalyst, a national advocacy organization, has been giving consumers a voice in health care reform for more than a decade.  We provide leadership and support to state and local consumer organizations, policymakers and foundations that are working to guarantee access to high-quality, affordable health care for everyone.  Our contributions, which range from policy analysis and strategic assistance to managing national campaigns, enable consumer groups to provide leadership in the hard work of transforming the U.S. health care system.  Since 1997, in states and communities across the country, we have been a catalyst for collaboration, innovation, and action in health care reform.

Our Values

Empowerment:  We seek to enhance the impact and build the power of state and local leaders and communities engaged in health advocacy, particularly those that are - or that represent – the most vulnerable and underserved constituencies.   We do this by educating individuals and groups about the health system, and by providing our partners with the tools and support they need to make the strategic and tactical decisions necessary to achieve their goals.
 
Pragmatism: We believe there are opportunities at every level to achieve a more accountable health care system and more rational policies through consumer and community activism.  We believe those opportunities must be seized wherever and whenever they are found.  Local victories strengthen work in other communities, and achievements in one state serve as models and buoy the efforts of advocates in other states.  Linking consumer advocates together to share information and strategies is essential in order to translate incremental change to larger-scale state or federal policy response
 
Diversity:  We seek to build a movement that is led by and responsive to the needs of diverse individuals and communities. Those most at risk under our current health system are disproportionately poor and members of racial, ethnic and cultural minorities.  Their active engagement is critical to a strong movement.  We strongly promote this value to our local partners
 
Collaboration:  Building a strong and effective health care justice movement is something that no group can do by itself. In working with other organizations, we try always to emphasize the things that unite us rather than the differences.  We strive to avoid engaging in competition with allies and to avoid focusing on our own narrow organizational interests.  We try to serve as a role model for other groups through our willingness to listen and to share information and resources.   
 
Learning: The ability to work effectively to protect consumer interests in a rapidly changing health care environment requires innovation, creativity, and the ability to rapidly assimilate new ideas and information.  We are willing to question the "common wisdom” and to challenge assumptions – our own and our colleagues', as we develop solutions. Our work environment supports and facilitates this kind of learning.